Today we will be looking at some rather graphic material. I want you to read completely through the passage we will be studying and make a list in your journal of all the things which you find to be shocking, amazing, or just extreme in nature. This is quite a story.
The incredible events start right at verse one. The two angels show up at the city gate and appear to Lot, who recognizes them as such and bows down to them with his face to the ground. The city gate is where the city’s business is conducted so Lot must have been a city official or did business with the city officials. He was a man of some status in Sodom.
In verses 2-3, we see Lot encouraging the men to not spend the night in the city square, but to come to his house. He wants to show them hospitality by washing their feet, feeding them, and giving them somewhere to sleep. I believe he also knows the sinful nature of the people of the city and wants to protect them (Gen 13:13).
Verses 4-5 tell us what happened that evening while the angels were in Lot’s home before they even went to bed. What sin were the men of Sodom wanting to bring upon Lot’s guests? Often, we think that giving in to a sin will satisfy it and make the desire go away, but, in reality, we are just feeding the beast. What does Eph 4:18-19 tell us about sinful desires?
We see, in verses 6-8, Lot attempting to reason with the men of the city. These are men he knows. He offers his two virgin daughters to them to do with as they please. From our modern day point of view, this is shocking. But in an ancient, middle eastern culture, women had less value than male visitors and certainly they were of less value than angels, and Lot is attempting to protect his guests. It was the custom of the day to protect guests at any cost. Many people have even offered the explanation that Lot knows these men are homosexuals and will have no interest in the daughters; thus, he believes the daughters will be safe.
Whatever Lot’s motives were in this terrible suggestion, we can see just how embedded in sin this city had become. Lot had lived among these sinful people for a long time and was hardened to their ways and the impact of their ways upon his family. He had accepted the normality of what his neighbors did and its impact on his family as everyday life. We can see from what is happening here how normal these behaviors had become in the city and why God was taking action against the city. (Isaiah 3:8-11) There is a Hebrew name for God that I would like to mention here… El Roi – The One Who Sees.
Before we go on, let’s see what we do know about Abraham’s nephew, Lot (2 Pet 2:6-8). Lot was a man of faith. Unfortunately, Lot had been living among the ungodly for quite a while. How can our lives be affected by sinful associations? Are you making a point to associate with those who follow the Lord or with unbelievers? How is your life being affected by those with whom you associate?
The men of Sodom respond aggressively to Lot’s appeal (vs 9). They threaten to treat him badly and attempt to break into his house to get at his visitors. By living among these people and being their friend, Lot has not earned their respect and they show him no favor. What do the angels inside the house do to save Lot (vs 10-11)? Extreme measures needed to be taken to save Lot from injury at the hands of his friends and neighbors who were determined to indulge their sinful desires.
We can see in verses 12-13 the angels attempting to warn Lot of what is to come and to save those who are close to him. God takes care of his people. And Lot listens to their warning and goes to warn the men betrothed to his daughters. How do they react (vs 14)? Have you ever tried to talk to others about God and they didn’t take you seriously? This is a common reaction from non-believers, especially if you are not living your life any differently as a believer. Just as the folks in Sodom did not see their destruction coming, we know that this is how it will be in the end days (2 Pet 3:3-10). That does not mean we should not attempt to warn others and tell them about God’s salvation (Matt 28:18-20). It is what Jesus has commanded us to do. God punishes the wicked and saves the righteous, but the truth is that God does not wish for any to perish.
In verses 15-16, the angels urge Lot to take his family and leave the city, and when he hesitates, they take him and lead him out. God is being merciful. But why does Lot hesitate? He is a man of faith. Could it be because he is not living as he should? He is living his life among the ungodly. He has become numb to the sin around him. His is a life of status and wealth and he enjoys being a man of importance. His pride and status are now at risk. Obeying God here and now means a loss of status and wealth. He is counting the cost. Often, obeying God can come at great cost. Do you ever stop and count the cost before obeying God? Lot has not learned the lesson Jesus teaches about money in Matt 6:24.
Once they are out of the city, what warning does one of the angels give them (vs 17)? They were told not to look back. They were told not to stop anywhere in the plain. Flee to the mountains. Why has God sent these angels to save Lot? We know that Lot was a man of faith, though he lived a backslidden life. But also, I believe the Lord was answering the prayers of Abraham. Abraham had prayed for the righteous people of Sodom. God had promised to not destroy the city if only ten righteous people were there. Obviously, there were not ten there… but Lot was there. Lot had probably been Abraham’s concern when he was having that discussion with God. Just like Abraham, we should make it a habit to pray for the best interests of others (James 5:16).
In verses 18-20, Lot makes an appeal not to flee to the mountains, but rather to be allowed to go to a small town nearby. Now we know that it is God’s intention to destroy Sodom, Gomorrah, and all of the surrounding plain. Lot is asking to be allowed to do something contrary to what he has been instructed to do. He wants to stay in this area where he has been comfortable even claiming that he will die if he goes to the mountains. Isn’t that how we are? We want to do things our own way and we can even be afraid of doing things God’s way. But, as we see in verses 21-22, God is merciful and allows Lot to go to the very small town of Zoar where he is more comfortable. Zoar, by the way, means small.
What time of the day did God bring the great destruction (vs 23)? By what means did God destroy these places (vs 24)? Name everything that was destroyed (vs 25). How did Lot’s wife directly disobey the angel’s instruction and what was the result of her disobedience (vs 26)? Yes, Lot’s wife looked back. Sometimes, though we may obey God, we look back on our lives of sin with a longing for what we may believe was satisfying or pleasurable. We may desire to have one last fling or the ability to dabble in sin occasionally. We’re not ready to give it up completely. We may grieve its loss. I believe Lot’s wife was not leaving willingly. She desired to go back. She liked her life in Sodom. God rescued Lot for his faith. God judged his wife for her sinful desires. Do you ever look back on sinful activities with longing? We must guard against this as it leads to a return to sinful ways (Luke 17:32-33).
The next morning, Abraham returned to the place where he had spoken with God. What does he see there (verses 27-28)? This is confirmation of what God had told him would happen. But of what does verse 29 assure us? God loves Abraham and has taken care for his concerns. He has protected Abraham’s nephew through the destruction. Just like Abraham, we can take our concerns to God and trust Him through difficult times.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a powerful warning about the consequences of persistent sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands. It also highlights God's patience and willingness to save those who are righteous, even when surrounded by wickedness. We see both judgment and mercy on display, reminding us of the seriousness with which God regards sin, but also His desire for repentance and salvation. This is definitely a graphic story and one of severe depravity. Shocking and disturbing things occur. What can be learned from studying it (Rom 1:18-32)?
Responding to God: Pray to God about any sinful desires you are struggling with. Ask Him to help you replace them with the desire to obey Him. Are your desires and actions affected by those with whom you associate? Ask God, in prayer, to show you any friendships or associations which you may need to discontinue due to their bad influence. Resolve to seek out Christian fellowship and Godly influences in your life. Ask God to help you live a life in which others can see His influence in you. Pray for the needs of others. Ask Him to help you trust Him through difficult times. Thank God for the ministry of angels. Pray for God’s help in fleeing from sin.
Further Research: On the internet, search for archeological information concerning Sodom and Gomorrah.
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